About Us
Our Story
In 2011, Canadian Jana Bell travelled to Peru where she visited an ecolodge and trekked in the Amazon rainforest. Jana was struck by the magic and mystery of the jungle and knew she had to return and explore some more. When Jana returned two months later, in place of tourist experiences she set out with a guide to see first-hand the gritty reality of rainforest destruction. She witnessed vast areas of ancient primary forest devastated by illegal logging. She visited illegal gold mining camps that had transformed pristine wilderness into a mercury-polluted moonscape. She walked on new roads slicing through previously remote and inaccessible areas where indigenous people live in voluntary isolation.
Jana returned to Canada with an overwhelming sense of responsibility to take action. She searched for a Canadian organization working to protect the area she’d visited; finding none, Jana launched ARC, which received charitable status from the Canadian government in 2014.
Our Canadian team consists entirely of volunteers which means all donations are directed to our conservation projects.
ARC Canada
The Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (ARC) has been actively working in Peru since its inception in 2014. While ARC, PARC, and ARCNP operate as legally distinct entities, they function in unison as a cohesive organization.
Jana Bell
Founder and President
Jana Bell (Honors B.A., Queen’s University) spent many years working in the corporate world as a Human Resources Advisor. However, her life path took a different turn after she visited the Peruvian Amazon in 2011 and returned to Canada feeling an overwhelming call to directly address the deforestation and destruction of that magical place. Jana founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (ARC) and its Peruvian sister organization, Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC), in 2012. She later co-founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) in 2022. With these three organizations, Jana hopes to bring an integrated approach to conservation that preserves the natural habitat and species of the area and also contributes to a sustainable livelihood for the indigenous inhabitants.
Gurbeen Bhasin
Board Member
Gurbeen Bhasin is the founder and executive director of Aangen: A Community Service Organization. Aangen is a Toronto-based non-profit social enterprise that focuses on advancing food security and social justice both locally and globally. Aangen creates employment for those experiencing barriers and advocates for housing and food security for ALL. She set up a social enterprise (an idea she had in grad school) so she could serve the community without restrictions and dependency on funders. Her values are to serve each family and individual based on their unique needs and wraparound the services they require. All of these services are covered by Aangen’s business functions as well as donations from community members.
While Gurbeen has been an environmental activist for many years, she has been inspired to take an active stand for protecting the Amazon rainforest. She visited Peru in 2020 and fell in love with the rainforest there and has developed a deep connection to protecting it and educating others about the importance of preserving it for generations to follow. Gurbeen is actively learning Spanish so she can help support Amazon Rainforest Conservancy in its mission and hopes to support this cause forever.
Jason Ruby
Board Member
Jason Ruby has been active in video production and marketing for more than 25 years. He’s currently the President of the Quake Marketing Group — a full-service, international B2B marketing agency collaborating with innovative technology companies. Jason is also the winner of the CTV-CKCO Pat Fitzgerald Award. After learning about ARC, and sharing information about Jana Bell’s dedication to protecting the Amazon rainforest, Jason and everyone on the Quake team was eager to get involved.
Jared Schachter
Board Member
Jared Schachter (Honours Business Administration, Richard Ivey Business School) has a diverse business background in management consulting and leadership in multiple technology companies. As an aspiring Effective Altruist he has always been passionate about social impact, with a specific focus on the environment. After a 4 month trip to South America in 2019 which included a multi-week stay in the Amazon, he felt a specific calling to focus his philanthropic efforts on conservation and protection of this precious area.
Cherie Tan
Board Member
Cherie Tan is a sustainability strategist and partnership builder with over two decades of experience leading initiatives at the intersection of conservation, agriculture, and community development across Asia, Latin America and beyond. She has worked with global companies, governments and grassroots organizations to strengthen forest governance, scale regenerative agriculture and improve market access for smallholder farmers.
Cherie currently leads the Southeast Asia portfolio for the UK’s Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) programme, advises Kaleka in Indonesia on transitioning from donor dependency to blended finance and regenerative business models, and mentors agtech startups working to accelerate sustainable farming and climate solutions.
Her commitment to the Amazon is deeply personal, shaped by time spent in Peru’s San Martín region in the early 2000s where she witnessed first-hand the delicate balance between livelihoods and forest protection. This experience continues to guide her belief that lasting conservation must work hand in hand with the people who call these landscapes home. Passionate about bridging worlds, Cherie brings a pragmatic, systems-based approach to ARC’s mission of safeguarding Amazon biodiversity and supporting local communities.
Douglas Tanton
ARC Board Member & Chair – Global Programme / Public Engagement Committee
Douglas Tanton is an accomplished team leader in global cause related and philanthropy growth with a focus on global environment, conservation, refugee and development.
He has led successful implementations in India, Asia Pacific, Europe, USA, LatAm & globally in +36 national settings with positive experiences in embracing diverse communities of teams and positive sensitivity of all cultural settings.
And now, he is looking forward to bringing this wealth of experience to help expand ARC’s growth, reach and impact.
Mark Weinstein
Board Member
Mark Weinstein has been a video editor for over 20 years and has frequently travelled the world while doing it. He’s always been drawn to the editing process, but can frequently be seen with a camera or wrangling some sound equipment as he enjoys every part of the filmmaking process.
After 14 years of editing in a traditional office environment, he started longing for “more”. So, he packed up his life – or the essentials, anyway – and put what he could onto his bicycle and pedalled from Toronto to St. John’s, Newfoundland to Key West, FL. After that, he knew returning to “office life” just wasn’t for him. Since then, he’s been working remotely from wherever “home” happens to be and pedalled nearly 25,000 km on various cross-country cycle tours along the way.
And while he’s never cycled in Peru, his first adventure vacation was a 100 km hike in the Peruvian Andes and he loved every part of it. When he learned of ARC’s activities, he knew it was a great fit to help out – his adventurous spirit agreed too.
Ken Whitehead, Ph.D.
Board Member
Ken Whitehead is a geospatial mapping and applications specialist and was formerly the scientific lead and manager for the Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) in Calgary. Previously as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Calgary, Ken studied the potential uses of drones for environmental monitoring. While completing his PhD, Ken also worked with one of the very first drone survey companies in North America, where he was responsible for coordinating research and developing drone survey applications for mapping and 3D terrain modelling.
Ken has worked with researchers from a number of universities on a variety of industry-academic joint projects and has lead-authored a number of peer-reviewed journal articles on various topics, including mapping applications, the current state of the drone industry in Canada and the application of accuracy standards for drone surveys. During his PhD, Ken carried out research in the Canadian Arctic and pioneered the use of drones for glaciological surveys.
As a professional geographer, Ken has long had a strong interest in conservation and protection of the world’s remaining wilderness areas. This led him to conduct his Ph.D. research in the Canadian Arctic. He has also had a long-time interest in being involved in the protection of the world’s remaining rainforest areas and was delighted to have the opportunity to visit ARC’s wildlife corridor project in June of 2025.
Ken is developing a comprehensive GIS database for the entire Wildlife Corridor project area.
ARC Northern Peru (ARCNP)
Cloud Forests Project Team:
In 2022, recognizing the need to expand our conservation efforts, we founded an additional nonprofit sister organization, the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP). This was to manage the land titles for our cloud forest acquisitions.
Jana Bell
Founding Member and Board Member
Jana Bell (Honors B.A., Queen’s University) spent many years working in the corporate world as a Human Resources Advisor. However, her life path took a different turn after she visited the Peruvian Amazon in 2011 and returned to Canada feeling an overwhelming call to directly address the deforestation and destruction of that magical place. Jana founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (ARC) and its Peruvian sister organization, Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC), in 2012. She later co-founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) in 2022. With these three organizations, Jana hopes to bring an integrated approach to conservation that preserves the natural habitat and species of the area and also contributes to a sustainable livelihood for the indigenous inhabitants.
Samuel Prada
Founding Member & President
Samuel Prada’s path to conservation is defined by a unique bridge between two worlds. Raised in Peru within an expatriate family that founded an organic farm, he developed a deep connection to the land early on. At age ten, he moved to Switzerland to complete his education, eventually training as a Mechatronics Field Engineer—a career that took him across diverse high-tech industries globally.
Driven by his roots, Sam returned to his passion for nature to Co-found the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP). Today, he serves as President of ARCNP and acts as the Project Manager for both ARCNP and the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC).
Sam combines technical precision with local knowledge to deliver high-impact conservation results. As Project Manager, he bridges high-level strategy and field operations. His leadership ensures that every available resource is directed toward on-the-ground protection, restoration, and community engagement. By facilitating research partnerships and tracking ecological data, Sam ensures that the conservation strategies of ARCNP and PARC are scientifically sound, sustainable, and deeply integrated with local communities.
Cindy Reátegui
Founding Member and Executive Director
Cindy Reátegui is a visionary entrepreneur and conservationist recognized for her innovative leadership at the intersection of sustainable business and ecological preservation. As the Commercial Manager and Director of Innovation and Development (R&D) at La Patarashca Group, she oversees a portfolio of hotels, restaurants, and tours in Peru. Her work champions sustainable food production and the economic empowerment of women in local communities—efforts that have earned her numerous accolades, and most recently the Business Change Awards 2026 – LEC
Merging her entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for nature, Cindy serves as the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) and the Executive Director of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC).
As Executive Director, Cindy sets the strategic vision that guides both organizations, ensuring that conservation priorities align with both ecological needs and the well-being of local communities. She is a vocal advocate for the rainforest in high-level policy discussions with government bodies and international forums. Her leadership extends to managing complex collaborations with NGOs and research institutions, overseeing transparent budgeting, and fostering global partnerships that advance ecological knowledge and practical, science-based solutions.
Erick H. Reátegui Guzmán
Board Member
Erick was born in Moyobamba, Peru. He is a veterinarian specializing in animal husbandry and a graduate of Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University (UPCH). He also holds a Master’s degree in Forest Resource Conservation from the National Agrarian University La Molina (UNALM).
In addition to his scientific background, Erick is a wildlife and nature photographer. He studied photography at the Peruvian Institute of Art and Design (IPAD) and video production at the Center for Image (CI).
With over 10 years of experience, Erick has worked on conservation projects and provided clinical care for wildlife and fish throughout the Amazon region, as well as in Peru’s coastal and highland areas, collaborating with both public and private institutions. He has published scientific articles and serves as a guest lecturer in conservation photography courses for undergraduate and graduate students at UPCH.
Lucas Tuanama Reategui
Forest Guardian
Cesar Gatica Rengifo
Forest Guardian
Aristides Hidalgo Romero
Forest Guardian
Jorge Cubas Villalobos
Forest Guardian
Juanito Garcia Vasquez
Forest Guardian
Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC)
Lowland Forests Project Team:
We established a nonprofit sister organization called the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC) due to legal restrictions preventing foreign organizations from holding land titles in Peru. This organization was specifically created to hold the land title for our brazil nut concession.
Jana Bell
Founder and President
Jana Bell (Honors B.A., Queen’s University) spent many years working in the corporate world as a Human Resources Advisor. However, her life path took a different turn after she visited the Peruvian Amazon in 2011 and returned to Canada feeling an overwhelming call to directly address the deforestation and destruction of that magical place. Jana founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (ARC) and its Peruvian sister organization, Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC), in 2012. She later co-founded Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) in 2022. With these three organizations, Jana hopes to bring an integrated approach to conservation that preserves the natural habitat and species of the area and also contributes to a sustainable livelihood for the indigenous inhabitants.
Cindy Reátegui
Executive Director
Cindy Reátegui is a visionary entrepreneur and conservationist recognized for her innovative leadership at the intersection of sustainable business and ecological preservation. As the Commercial Manager and Director of Innovation and Development (R&D) at La Patarashca Group, she oversees a portfolio of hotels, restaurants, and tours in Peru. Her work champions sustainable food production and the economic empowerment of women in local communities—efforts that have earned her numerous accolades, and most recently the Business Change Awards 2026 – LEC
Merging her entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for nature, Cindy serves as the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) and the Executive Director of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC).
As Executive Director, Cindy sets the strategic vision that guides both organizations, ensuring that conservation priorities align with both ecological needs and the well-being of local communities. She is a vocal advocate for the rainforest in high-level policy discussions with government bodies and international forums. Her leadership extends to managing complex collaborations with NGOs and research institutions, overseeing transparent budgeting, and fostering global partnerships that advance ecological knowledge and practical, science-based solutions.
Erick H. Reátegui Guzmán
Board Member
Erick was born in Moyobamba, Peru. He is a veterinarian specializing in animal husbandry and a graduate of Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University (UPCH). He also holds a Master’s degree in Forest Resource Conservation from the National Agrarian University La Molina (UNALM).
In addition to his scientific background, Erick is a wildlife and nature photographer. He studied photography at the Peruvian Institute of Art and Design (IPAD) and video production at the Center for Image (CI).
With over 10 years of experience, Erick has worked on conservation projects and provided clinical care for wildlife and fish throughout the Amazon region, as well as in Peru’s coastal and highland areas, collaborating with both public and private institutions. He has published scientific articles and serves as a guest lecturer in conservation photography courses for undergraduate and graduate students at UPCH.
Samuel Prada
Board Member
Samuel Prada’s path to conservation is defined by a unique bridge between two worlds. Raised in Peru within an expatriate family that founded an organic farm, he developed a deep connection to the land early on. At age ten, he moved to Switzerland to complete his education, eventually training as a Mechatronics Field Engineer—a career that took him across diverse high-tech industries globally.
Driven by his roots, Sam returned to his passion for nature to Co-found the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP). Today, he serves as President of ARCNP and acts as the Project Manager for both ARCNP and the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (PARC).
Sam combines technical precision with local knowledge to deliver high-impact conservation results. As Project Manager, he bridges high-level strategy and field operations. His leadership ensures that every available resource is directed toward on-the-ground protection, restoration, and community engagement. By facilitating research partnerships and tracking ecological data, Sam ensures that the conservation strategies of ARCNP and PARC are scientifically sound, sustainable, and deeply integrated with local communities.
©2025, Amazon Rainforest Conservancy. Charitable #833497084RR0001